June 1 - June is a pretty busy month for zenpond. Everything is in its prime and looking beautiful. john has been very busy in May. All the shade zones seemed to have turned into sun zones and all the sun zones have turned into shade zones. As a result, john has had to transplant many plants, especially Hostas, but zenpond looks better than it every has.

There is one exception, which john is working on deligently. The pond water is green. john just replaced the UV light, as he does every spring. john hopes that this will clear the water some, as UV light kills algae. john is also thinking of sump-pumping the bottom of the pond to get rid of some of the sludge build-up from leaves falling into the pond during the fall. john isn't sure just where to put the sludge, but it should be great fertilizer/compost (if it doesn't smell too badly).

June 2 - "Hix and Son Aquatics" came out and gave john some advice as to what was wrong with the filtration at zenpond. john had seen their crystal clear water during a Greater Kansas City Water Garden tour several years ago. First, and formost, john's bubble bead filter was "caked". This amounts to the water just channelling through the filter and not doing anything more. It was not taking out any of the debris! Secondly, there is not enough circulation of the water. The inlets are too close to the main waterfall, so the water in the far end was not being turned at all. Next week, john is having them come out and clean out the bubble bead filter completely by taking the bubble beads out of the filter and cleaning the beads with pond water. By cleaning with pond water, john will not be starting over as far as the two types of bacteria are concerned. In addition, Hix will lay three flexible 2 " black hoses in the bottom of the pond that will reach the far end of the pond. This will provide the circulation needed. john should see clear water VERY shortly! Calling in "Hix and Son Aquatics" was one of the smartest things john has ever done.

June 11 (pm) - john has to share what happened to him yesterday. He went to Home Depot for Camouflage paint, but couldn't find any.

The second thing john has been wondering: isn't a world cup rather unsanitary?

June 12 - john is thinking that his next painting shall be like the photo below that he took at Lake Agnes in Banff, Canada several years ago.

June 29 -

June 29, 4:35 pm - final version: